Llaima update (bulletin of 5 May 2009) 10 May 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Chile, Llaima.Tags: Chile, Llaima, South America, volcanic activity reports
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The Chilean state geological service SERNAGEOMIN have issued a bulletin reporting activity at Llaima volcano from 28 April to 4 May 2009. A shortened version has been published on the SERNAGEOMIN website (in company with a bulletin on Chaitén), and the full document (PDF) is available from OVDAS.
The bulletin reports the continuing sporadic presence of incandescent points in the south-western margin of the principal crater ‘corresponding with outcrops of lava from which, occasionally, blocks fall and roll down the slopes of the western flank of the volcano’. Weak steam emissions have been seen in the mornings from Llaima’s summit, produced by the condensation of cold air in contact with the heated areas of the volcano. There have been no significant changes in the seismic behaviour of the volcano, which is characterized by weak tremor and LP-type (long period) earthquakes of up to 70 seconds’ duration, ‘related to the continuing movement of fluids and gases in the interior of the volcano’. The number of LP earthquakes ranges between 15 and 18 per hour, which represents no significant change from previous weeks. Seismic energy released (RSAM) has shown a slight tendency to increase.
The bulletin concludes that ‘the situation of the volcano is still critical because of its erratic seismic behaviour, the obstruction of its crater, the sporadic emission of lava in the western margin of the principal crater and the occasional emissions of gas and particulate material from the summit and various points on the western flank.’ There could be renewed explosive activity and lava flows, and thus SERNAGEOMIN maintains Yellow Alert.
For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Llaima – summary information for Llaima (1507-11=)
Oficina Nacional de Emergencia – Chilean government emergencies office
SERNAGEOMIN – Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Chile
Proyecto Observación Visual Volcán Llaima – Llaima Visual Observation Project
Saturday Volcano Art: Fernando Amorsolo, ‘Planting Rice with Mayon Volcano’ (1949) 9 May 2009
Posted by admin in Mayon, Philippines, Saturday volcano art, volcano art, volcano culture.Tags: Fernando Amorsolo, Mayon, Philippines, Saturday volcano art
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The painter Fernando Amorsolo (1892-1972) was a dominant figure in the visual arts of the Philippines during the decades before the Second World War and into the post-war period. His oeuvre is characterized by scenes of the Filipino countryside, harmoniously composed and richly coloured, saturated with bright sunlight and populated by beautiful, happy people: it is an art of beauty, contentment, peace and plenty – which perhaps explains its enduring popularity in the Philippines to this day.
Amorsolo was committed to two fundamental ideas in his art: first, a classical notion of idealism, in which artistic truth was found through harmony, balance and beauty, and second a conservative concept of Filipino national character as rooted in rural communities and the cycles of village life. The two come together in pastoral scenes such as ‘Planting Rice with Mayon Volcano’, painted in 1949. Here, happy Filipino villagers in their bright clothes and straw hats work together amid a green and sunlit landscape of plenty. Behind them, releasing a peaceful plume of steam, rises the beautifully symmetrical cone of Mayon stratovolcano. It is the ash erupted by the volcano over its highly-active history that has made the surrounding landscape fertile, and the tranquil cone appears here to be a beneficial spirit of the earth standing guardian over the villagers and their crops. Mayon’s eruptions can be very destructive (as in the violent eruption of 1947, not long before this picture was painted, when pyroclastic flows and lahars brought widespread destruction and fatalities) but here the relationship between the volcano and the surrounding landscape is depicted as a positive, fruitful and harmonious one. Mayon is a celebrated symbol of the Philippines, and its presence in Amorsolo’s painting emphasizes his wish to represent the spirit of the nation on canvas.
‘Planting Rice with Mayon Volcano’ is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
For all ‘Saturday volcano art’ articles: Saturday volcano art « The Volcanism Blog.
Further reading
Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation
Fernando Amorsolo works at Frazer Fine Arts
The National Artists of the Philippines: Fernando C. Amorsolo
Alice G. Guillermo, Image to Meaning: Essays on Philippine Art (Manila: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2001)
Paul A. Rodell, Culture and Customs of the Philippines (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002)
Chaitén bulletin no. 91 (5 May 2009) 9 May 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Chaitén, Chile, eruptions.Tags: Chaitén, Chile, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Bulletin no. 91 on the eruption of Chaitén volcano, covering the period 29 April to 4 May 2009, is now available as a PDF via the informes page of the Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) website, and a shortened version has been published on the SERNAGEOMIN website. Translation of the full document as follows.
ERUPTION OF CHAITÉN VOLCANO
TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 91
29 APRIL TO 4 MAY 2009
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN
1. Visual monitoring
During this period the volcano has been observed during fieldwork carried out on 29 April, and also in partial form during an overflight carried out on 1 May.
The eruption continues with the consistent growth of the dome complex and their column of gas and ash, which has occasionally reached 2.0 km above the volcano (Fig. 1), with gravitational collapses generating block-and-ash flows (FBC; Fig. 2). The emission of gas and ash is concentrated principally in the centre of emission located in the south-east sector of the dome complex (Fig. 2).
On 1 May there was an overflight of the volcano in a Twin Otter aircraft of FACH [Chilean Air Force], co-ordinated for Mr Guillermo Nuñez, Director of ONEMI [state emergencies office] for Los Lagos Region. It was possible to observe that the central pinnacle has fractured into three main, very unstable, blocks and that the dome complex has continued with its rapid growth, expanding considerably (Fig. 3). This produces a major danger for the valley of the Chaitén river, as possible gravitational collapses in the southern sector may generate block-and-ash flows (FBC). The surface morphology of the dome complex is very irregular, with various pinnacles and notable heights (estimated as in the region of 100m).
Figures 1 [above] and 2 [below]. Views of Chaitén on 29 April, showing the gas and ash column with a predominance of water vapour from condensation which reached an altitude of 2.0 km (1). The complex of domes continue their growth with gravitational collapses generating block-and-ash flows (FBC) (2). Also shown is the active centre of emission in the south-east sector of the dome complex (2).
Figure 3. Aerial view of the dome complex, the volume and extent of which have grown significantly, and of the very fractured central pinnacle (courtesy Mr Javier Romero, Vialidad MOP, Puerto Montt).
2. Seismic monitoring
The seismicity registered by the monitoring network of Chaitén volcano this last week has remained relatively stable with an average of 12 to 14 earthquakes of HB [hybrid] type per day. After the slight decline in magnitudes on 25 and 26 April, there was again an increase after 1 May, nevertheless, the RSAM values have not exceeded 115,000 units and only four events have exceeded 100,000 units (Fig. 4). During the last few days there has again occurred a slight decline in the higher magnitudes, the values of which have varied between 3.5 and 4.0, registering a maximum of up to 4.2. With regard to the epicentres of the earthquakes, these have continued to be located on the edges of the caldera, with depths that are principally concentrated between 3 and 13 km.
Figure 4. RSAM graph showing the relative stability of the seismic energy from 15 April to 4 May 2009. [Click on image for enlarged version.]
3. Conclusions and interpretation
The eruptive activity continues with the growth of the dome complex, which has risen and expanded. Although the seismic activity occurring to date shows a slight decline in magnitudes, the highest reaching up to magnitude 4.2, the number of HB-type earthquakes has been maintained. In relation to the seismic energy released the levels have been maintained, a phenomenon which is directly related to the growth of the dome complex. In consequence, there is a continuing latent danger of the occurrence of possible explosions and block-and-ash flows (FBC), along with lahars, which may affect valleys adjacent to Chaitén volcano.
In consequence, given that the seismic activity remains elevated and, in accordance with this, the sustained growth of the dome complex, with the possibility of the generation of block-and-ash flows (FBC) that may affect the surrounding valleys, SERNAGEOMIN maintains Volcanic Red Alert.
[End of SERNAGEOMIN bulletin.]
For all our Chaitén coverage: Chaitén « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Chaitén – summary information for Chaitén (1508-41)
SERNAGEOMIN – Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (Spanish)
Erupción del Volcán Chaitén – extensive coverage of the Chaitén eruption
The Daily Volcano Quote: the enemy is still there 8 May 2009
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El enemigo sigue ahí. 
‘The enemy is still there’: Sergio Galilea, Intendente of Los Lagos Region, Chile, talking about Chaitén volcano on the first anniversary of its eruption. Interview with Radio Cooperativa, 2 May 2009.
The Daily Volcano Quote: from Monday to Friday, a new eruption of volcanic verbiage each day.
Redoubt calms down a little bit 8 May 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Alaska, Redoubt, United States.Tags: Alaska, Redoubt, United States, volcanic activity reports
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Seismicity at Redoubt has dropped over the last 36 hours, reports the Alaska Volcano Observatory, although it remains at an elevated level. ‘This change does not’, warns the AVO, ‘negate the possibility of an explosive eruption over the coming days’.
Webcam views show Redoubt producing a low but vigorous steam plume. No ash emissions have been detected.
For all our Redoubt coverage: Redoubt « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Redoubt – summary information for Redoubt (1103-03-)
Alaska Volcano Observatory – Redoubt – AVO information and updates for Redoubt
Alaska Volcano Observatory – main page for the AVO
Alaska: Veniaminof volcano goes to Yellow/Advisory status 8 May 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Alaska, United States, Veniaminof.Tags: Alaska, United States, Veniaminof, volcanic activity reports
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The Alaska Volcano Observatory have raised the alert level at Veniaminof volcano to Aviation Colour Code Yellow and Volcano Alert Level Advisory. This reflects a significant change in the seismic behaviour of the volcano, as the AVO’s Volcanic Activity Notice explains:
Over the past day [i.e. 7 May 2009], earthquake activity has increased at Mount Veniaminof volcano. This increase is a significant change from normal background activity … Currently the earthquakes are small in magnitude but are registering across the entire seismic network. Seismicity rates are high and have varied between 5-10 earthquakes per hour during quieter periods to 1-3 earthquakes per minute during more intense activity.
The summit crater is producing steam, in line with its habitual practice, and no ash emissions have been detected. The last large eruption of Veniaminof was a VEI=3 event in 1983. Otherwise its eruptive history is characterized by relatively small eruptions (VEI=1 and 2) on a fairly frequent basis: the most recent was in February 2008.
Another Alaskan volcano to keep an eye on.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Veniaminof – summary information for Veniaminof (1102-07-)
Veniaminof Eruption Page – information from the Alaska Volcano Observatory
Alaska Volcano Observatory – main page for the AVO
Nyiragongo: eruption imminent? 8 May 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Africa, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Nyamuragira, Nyiragongo.Tags: Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nyamuragira, Nyiragongo, volcanic activity reports
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Following recent reports of activity at Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, scientists at the Goma Volcanological Observatory are warning that an eruption may be ‘imminent’ at both Nyiragongo and its neighbour Nyamuragira (alternative spelling Nyamulagira). A field trip to both volcanoes revealed tremors, emissions and ‘pools of lava’, and Dieudonne Wafula, head of the observatory, is quoted by the UN’s humanitarian news network IRIN as saying that ‘The volcanoes could erupt any time; it could be in two days, or a week or two but not later than two months from now’.
Wafula warned that the city of Goma could be threatened by any eruption, but said that lava levels at Nyiragongo were low, reducing the chance of severe damage to the city.
UPDATE: The BBC has picked up on the story, reporting that Mr Wafula thinks Nyamuragira is more likely to erupt than Nyiragongo, and suggesting that the residents of Goma are well used to their local volcanoes and have rather a blasé attitude towards their lava flows, fumes, ash emissions etc: ‘A resident of Goma told the BBC said people were talking about the volcanoes and that they had noticed a rise in temperature in recent days, but that otherwise the situation inside Goma was normal’.
(The Goma Volcanological Observatory does not have a website.)
News
DRC-RWANDA: Volcanic activity ‘threatens Goma’ – IRIN, 7 May 2009
DRC-RWANDA: Volcanic activity ‘threatens Goma’ – Reuters AlertNet, 7 May 2009
Scientist says volcanic eruption in Congo imminent – Associated Press, 7 May 2009
DR Congo volcano ‘may soon erupt’ – BBC News, 8 May 2009
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Nyiragongo – summary information for Nyiragongo (0203-03=)
Global Volcanism Program: Nyamuragira – summary information for Nyamuragira (0203-02=)
Volcano research miscellany 7 May 2009
Posted by admin in Africa, current research, geoscience, Hawaii, Kilauea, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Pacific, submarine volcanism, Tanzania, United States.Tags: geoscience, Kilauea, Ol Doinyo Lengai, undersea volcanism, volcano research, volcanology
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Various interesting bits and pieces of volcano-related research to report. Apologies for the lack of detail, but I’m pressed for time right now.
Ash evidence suggests impact of past eruptions underrated – a research team from the University of Oxford has studied the distribution of ash from the Chaitén eruption and concluded that the impact of past volcanic eruptions is likely to have been significantly underestimated, because so much ashfall is light (a few millimetres thickness) and is quickly lost from the areas affected. More on this at Science Daily, under the snappy headline Chaitén Volcano In Southern Chile: Historic Volcanic Eruptions Significantly Underestimated, Ash Fallout Analysis Shows.
Origins of Ol Doinyo Lengai’s weird lavas probed – the unique carbonatite lavas of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania are produced by a very low degree of partial melting of the upper mantle minerals, concludes research to be published shortly in Nature by U.S. and French scientists. Science magazine’s ScienceNOW (caps lock stuck down?) news service also has an article on this, bafflingly entitled Volcanic Fish Out of Water.
Thriving ecosystem supported by NW-Rota 1 – scientists who have just returned from filming and studying the deep undersea volcano NW-Rota 1 report that the active volcano nourishes a rich and thriving biological community including shrimps, crabs, limpets and barnacles, some of which are new species. National Geographic News has some pictures.
Gentle, easy-going Kilauea has a dangerous side – between 1000 and 1600 years ago Kilauea, known today for its gentle tourist-friendly lava flows, chucked rocks 16 or 17 kilometres during powerful explosive eruptions.
Anak Krakatau alert level increased 7 May 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, eruptions, Indonesia, Krakatau.Tags: Indonesia, Krakatau, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Quick update … it seems recent reports from local inhabitants of increased activity at Krakatau may have been correct – the alert level for the volcano has just been raised by the Indonesian authorities from Yellow (Waspada) to Orange (Siaga). Dr Klemetti has information and links at Eruptions: Alert level raised at Anak Krakatau.
For all our Indonesia coverage: Indonesia « The Volcanism Blog.
The Daily Volcano Quote: volcanoes are part of the universal order 7 May 2009
Posted by admin in daily volcano quote.Tags: daily volcano quote, quotations, quotes
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Volcanoes form no exception to the principles of universal order. They may appear to be physical flaws, and to assume the character of accidents. The devastation which they have produced lead men to regard them very naturally as evils. But two things are certain. They arrive from the operation of natural causes which, however secret, hidden, and difficult of discovery, science may approach with a firm conviction that they are within its domain. And they subserve important and beneficent ends, some of which are already well understood.
John Kennedy, Volcanoes: Their History, Phenomena, and Causes (London: Religious Tract Society, 1852), pp. 7-8.
The Daily Volcano Quote: from Monday to Friday, a new eruption of volcanic verbiage each day.
